Cyber-Aggression: Definition and Concept of Cyberbullying
Dorothy Wunmi Grigg Goldsmiths University of London, United Kingdom
The Impact of Cyber Bullying: A New Type of Relational Aggression
Cyber bullying is defined as a means of indirect aggression in which peers use electronics to taunt, insult, threaten, harass, and/or intimidate a peer (Raskauskas & Stoltz, 2007). It is classified as relational or indirect aggression because it is a deliberate attempt to inflict direct or indirect harm on peers through manipulation and damaging peer relationships (Berger, 2007). It encompasses non-physical attacks such as: teasing, telling lies, making fun of another, making rude or mean comments, spreading of rumors, or making threatening or aggressive comments towards another person. This new type of relational aggression of repeat humiliating gossip (Berger, 2007) is done using the Internet (web pages, instant messaging), text messages, picture messages, and any other form of technology in a negative way to indirectly or directly attack another person. Some examples are defaming web sites and online “slam books” (Raskauskas & Stoltz, 2007).
Johnson, J. M. (2009, March). The impact of cyber bullying: A new type of relational aggression.
